This three-part series is designed to help Challenging Behavior Specialists (CBS) implement appropriate Functional Based Assessments (FBA) and to create effective and durable Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) for children who display challenging behaviors. Part one of this three-part series includes six ICN sessions designed to increase the CBS’s understanding of the basic principles of behavior from an Applied Behavior Analysis perspective. This series is designed to increase understanding of basic concepts as a foundation of support for deeper understanding of the concepts from which FBA and BIP is drawn in the second part of this series.

Part one of this series is intended to support CBS’s from each AEA who are involved in the training of assessment of children with challenging behaviors. These trainings coincide with the practical experiences they are receiving from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in FBA and the concepts discussed in this series are designed to increase the technical assistance capabilities of each CBS. While the CBS’s are the target audience in this series, anyone in the state that works with children who display challenging behaviors is welcome to attend. For all attendees a basic understanding of why behavior occurs, how to measure behavior and make decisions to increase or decrease behavior will be provided. Part one will also specifically focus on providing attendees the: a) theoretical background of applied behavior analysis; b) knowledge to operationally define, record, and display behavior for appropriate data analyses; and c) background knowledge of key concepts that lead to greater understanding of why children display challenging behavior. The overall theme across these sessions is the development of pre-cursor knowledge that permits the potential application of appropriate FBA technologies that will result in effective BIP’s designed to reduce challenging behaviors and to increase appropriate/adaptive behaviors displayed by children with such concerns.

Maximum benefit for attendees will be gleaned by attending all sessions in the series, however CBS’s should select from those sessions that most meet their needs. In addition, up to 2 additional readings is assigned to each session as a means to augment the attendees learning. The articles can be located at the following link for time-limited periods leading up to the ICN session dates:

http://TBD

It is strongly recommended that attendees read these articles before attending sessions, as much of the content in the session will be gleaned from these readings.

Any remaining time during sessions will be allocated for question and answer periods regarding the topics and for networking and information sharing between AEA staff and participants.

All efforts will be made to keep topics on the dates listed. Changes may be made based on presenter availability or the emergence of unplanned issues (e.g., weather).

September 4, 2013 Foundations of ABA and Ethical Use of ABAThe initial session will focus on the underlying reasons for using the ABA model for challenging behaviors displayed by students within the classroom setting and the Ethical use of this technology in school settings.

September 18, 2013 Operational Definitions of Behavior, Data Collection, and Graphing.This session will focus on the basic concepts of ABA as it relates to behavior. Attendees will also learn how to define behavior in observable and verifiable terms. Discussion will also be provided on how to properly select the appropriate methods of Data Collection to capture this information and how to Graphically depict this information appropriately for decision making.

October 2, 2013 Models of Behavior, Positive and Negative Reinforcement, and Extinction and ReinforcementThis session will focus on the ABC and SORC models. The concepts of Reinforcement and Extinction and Positive and Negative Reinforcement will also be delineated.

October 16, 2013 Antecedent Influences on BehaviorThis session will focus on the variety of antecedents that trigger/cause challenging behaviors to be displayed. The concepts of Stimulus Control, Setting Events, Motivational Operations and Abolishing Operations, Prompting, Shaping and Chaining will also be discussed.

October 30, 2013 Consequence Influences on BehaviorThis session will focus primarily on the variety of consequences that maintain/reinforce or increase the future likelihood of challenging behaviors to be displayed. The concepts of Schedules of Reinforcement and Response Covariation will also be covered.

November 6, 2013 Preference and Reinforcer Assessments, and Preparation for FBAThe final session of Part one of this series will focus on Preference Assessment of “potential” reinforcers which are commonly used prior to conducting a FBA and help to inform the development of an effective BIP. Additional discussion regarding the utility of Reinforcer Assessments FBAs and BIPs in high stakes decision making.

Notes:

Sessions are provided at no cost by Iowa Public Television in collaboration with the
Iowa Communications Network to PK-12 students and the adults working with or on behalf of PK-12 students in Iowa. If you are not employed by a school district or an AEA please register at library sites only.